Starting from February 2025, Kazakhstan may increase the maximum tariffs for electricity for energy-producing organizations (EPOs). The draft order regarding this has been published on the portal "Open NPA" by the Ministry of Energy, as reported by the correspondent of the business information center Kapital.kz.
The document explains that 36 EPOs have submitted applications for the adjustment of the maximum tariff for electricity production effective February 1, 2025. The need for this adjustment is linked to rising costs that are beyond the control of the companies themselves. For instance, the increase in salaries for production staff. The average salary in 2024 rose by 18% to reach 425,000 tenge. A further increase of 15-20% is planned for 2025, which would raise the average salary to approximately 490,000 tenge.
"The energy sector is facing a shortage of qualified personnel. There is a shortfall of 4,500 specialists in energy enterprises, which have a total staff of about 57,000 people. As of January 1, 2024, the actual number of employees was 52,500. The salary increase is aimed at attracting and retaining professionals in the industry," the draft explains.
Additionally, one of the factors affecting the tariff adjustment is the rising costs of purchasing and transporting materials and equipment necessary for repairs. There has been an increase in expenses for fuel procurement and the transportation of coal and gas.
"Preliminary calculations indicate that the impact of the tariff adjustments on the cost of electricity for the Single Buyer will be around 2 tenge per kWh. Currently, the applications from energy-producing organizations are under review. All proposals are being carefully analyzed to ensure a balance between consumer interests and the need for sustainable development in the sector," the Ministry of Energy explained.
It was previously anticipated that the maximum tariff for electricity for the first group of energy-producing organizations in 2025 would be 8.27 tenge per kWh. It is proposed to increase this to 9.50 tenge per kWh, for the second group from 7.98 tenge per kWh to 8.48 tenge per kWh, and for the third group from 13.17 tenge per kWh to 15.67 tenge per kWh. The Ministry of Energy has a total of 62 groups listed. It is noted that three new energy-producing organizations have submitted applications to be included in this list, and maximum tariffs also need to be established for them.